Why CARFAX says "Standard Range" on a 2023 Tesla Model S or Model X

If you're shopping for a 2023 Tesla Model S or Model X, you may notice that CARFAX, AutoCheck or a marketplace listing calls the car "Standard Range," while the dealer and Tesla's own app call it "All-Wheel Drive." It's a common question, and the short answer is: it's a label left over from the VIN, not a different car.

What happened

The 2023 Model S and Model X came in two versions: All-Wheel Drive (the long-range car) and Plaid.

In 2023, Tesla briefly planned lower-priced "Standard Range" versions that would be limited by software. Tesla then dropped that plan, unlocked those cars, and sold them as All-Wheel Drive. They have the same battery as every other All-Wheel Drive car.

Some of those cars were built with VIN codes from the "Standard Range" plan. CARFAX and other VIN decoders read the VIN, so they still print "Standard Range." Tesla's records, which are what the car itself and the Tesla app go by, show "All-Wheel Drive."

How to confirm it yourself

• In the car, open Controls → Software. It shows the model as Tesla names it, for example "Model X All-Wheel Drive."
• In the Tesla app, the car shows the same name.
• Tesla's build sheet (the car's window sticker from Tesla's website) lists the model as Tesla built it.

Every car we list includes a photo of its Software screen and/or Tesla's build sheet, so you can see Tesla's own designation before you buy.

Checking the range

Neither the Software screen nor Tesla's website shows a car's full range. You can estimate it from the battery screen: take the range the car shows right now, multiply by 100, and divide by the battery percentage shown.

For example, 240 miles at 80% is 240 × 100 ÷ 80 = 300 miles on a full charge.

Wondering why that's lower than the EPA rating? See Why your Tesla shows less range than the EPA rating.

Questions about a specific car? Call or text us and we'll walk you through it.